A massive flood hit central Texas early Friday morning, killing at least 13 people and leaving over 20 girls from a Christian summer camp missing.
In just hours, months of rain slammed the Texas Hill Country, causing the Guadalupe River to explode beyond its banks. Search teams launched urgent boat and helicopter rescues across Kerr County.
Christian Camp Hit Hard
Among the missing: about 23 girls from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp in the flood zone.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick confirmed the girls were still unaccounted for but noted, “That does not mean they are lost.” He warned more deaths are likely, with rescue operations still underway.
Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed 13 fatalities, while first responders scrambled to save children from trees and flooded cabins.
‘Pitch Black Wall of Death’
Locals were caught off guard by the flash flood. One man, Matthew Stone, said there were no emergency alerts — just a “pitch black wall of death” crashing through his neighborhood.
“We got no warning,” he said. He helped police use his paddle boat to try and reach a drowning neighbor.
Nearby, Erin Burgess and her 19-year-old son clung to a tree in the dark floodwaters.
“My boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them,” she said.
She credited her son’s height with saving her life.
‘I Was Scared to Death’
At a reunification center in Ingram, heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as families embraced survivors. A young girl in a “Camp Mystic” T-shirt sobbed into her mother’s arms.
Barry Adelman, 54, said rising waters trapped his family — including a 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson — in the attic. Water started coming through the ceiling.
“I had to look my grandson in the face and tell him it would be OK,” he said. “But I was scared to death.”
No Warning System
Kerr County officials confirmed they had no warning system in place.
Asked why more wasn’t done, Judge Rob Kelly said bluntly:
“Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming.”
Despite a flood watch, rain totals were far beyond predictions, according to weather officials. A river gauge recorded a 22-foot rise in just 2 hours before breaking at 29.5 feet.
‘Flash Flood Alley’ Strikes Again
This region of Texas is nicknamed “flash flood alley” — a deadly mix of thin soil, steep hills, and river tourism.
“Water doesn’t soak into the ground here,” explained local nonprofit leader Austin Dickson. “It rushes downhill.”
The area is home to many century-old Christian camps and vacation cabins that line the Guadalupe River.
Tragedy Spreads to New Jersey
As the Texas tragedy unfolded, severe storms swept across New Jersey, killing at least three people, including two men crushed by a falling tree.
Plainfield canceled its July 4th events, including a parade, concert, and fireworks.
